Dead R1200GS

[Flying Scotsman]

Went to start the GS this morning however when I turned the key, I saw no lights, no indication that the battery was kicking in. In hope, I pushed the starter, Zip, Zero, Nada...

The bike has been sitting for 3 weeks with the battery charger attached after a 2 week trip to Deal's Gap. I was planning to drain the oil and the fuel tank in anticipation of the bike being exported to Scotland this coming weekend.

Anyone know how to bump start a R1200GS without dropping the fecker?
Steven

Edit: at the 6,000 mile service, the dealer downloaded new software to the R12GS to "prevent the system from draining the battery"

 

[Mouse]

If the battery is totally dead, or the power has failed for some reason, you won't be able to bump start, as the fuel pump won't be running, among other things. Or at least it will be very difficult.

Better idea would be to jump start from a car battery.

Be warned that once a lead acid battery has been discharged completely, it's never the same again

 

[Flying Scotsman]

Thanks Mouse. Since we're moving home / country / continent, I've sold my car and my wife is off to work in hers. Will have to wait until she gets back I guess :sigh

I'd better place an order for a new battery for when the bike arrives in the UK so I can at least ride the beast away from UK Customs

Steven

 

[Mouse]

Oh by the way, is it a BMW battery charger? Most people reckon they're rubbish (that's a subjective statement I know!) so you might do better with an Optimate or similar.

 

[Flying Scotsman]

Oh by the way, is it a BMW battery charger? Most people reckon they're rubbish (that's a subjective statement I know!) so you might do better with an Optimate or similar.

Yup it was a BM charger....I know a better place for it

 

[Flying Scotsman]

Is this the charger that you're talking about?

 

[Mouse]

Yes indeedy.

The only thing to be aware of is the desulphate mode. This uses a high voltage that could (allegedly) damage the electronics on the bike, I say allegedly because it's only about 20V and I would expect decent quality automotive components to have overvoltage protection far in excess of 20V. Also Optimate themselves say that desulphate mode won't engage if there is any current draw, which there will always be if the battery is on the bike.

What I'm trying to say is, I use an Optimate and I reckon they're a decent automatic charger, don't be put off by spurious theories about the desulphate mode. After all, if the charger goes into desulphate mode your battery is knackered anyway (or there's a bad connection, this can happen).

 

[MIKA]

I have a Sept 05 GS that is not affected by the software upgrade, however about six weeks ago after the bike had sat for abgout three days it did not have enough power to start.
BMW came out, started it and took it to the local dealer who could not find any faults. Last week the bike did the exact same thing , except this time it was still warm from coming back a run and had been in use almost every day since the last time it didn't start.

Along came BMW again who tested the battery and found it was droping to 6v when under load, but once started appeared to be charging ok. They suspected a duff battery and again the bike was taken to the local dealer for further tests.

A week on and dealer now has six GS's that are not affected by the software update on their premises.

We are all now awaiting the boffins at BMW to come up with a solution.

 

[JAY]

...................We are all now awaiting the boffins at BMW to come up with a solution.

Perhaps fit a larger battery? I was shocked how small it is

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

I would insist they put in a new battery while waiting for the @#@# boffins.
It's not rocket science.

 

[Yoda]

I think the battery is really two PP3s in a large plastic casing.